Our Mission and Heritage

Adopted on June 19, 2011

We are The Congregational Church of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, United Church of Christ. We are Christian, which means we recognize in Jesus of Nazareth the divine qualities of peace, joy, love, compassion and justice. Being Christian means we endeavor to eagerly explore the Bible for its spiritual wisdom contained in symbol, parable and history. We find in this sacred book stories that are reflective of our own lives and struggles. Being Christian means we have a specific tradition and history to which we are drawn.

We are open-minded, which means we understand faith as a quest, not a fully-grasped certainty. Being open-minded means we agree to consider different points of view with the expectation of learning and growing. Because we believe God is still speaking, we see being open-minded as a key to meaningful faithfulness.

We are welcoming, which means, in attempting to faithfully follow Jesus in our time and place, we do our best to be inclusive and embrace diversity. We affirm that every person has worth and is created in the image of God. As a congregation, we strive to model a spiritual community of faith that continually works toward justice while seeking peace, healing and wholeness of life for all people. Therefore, we declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ, which means we gratefully receive into the full life and ministry of the church persons of every race, culture, age, ability and economic status, faithfully welcoming all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and their families and friends. Jesus didn't reject people. Neither do we. We are The Congregational Church of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, United Church of Christ.

The Congregational Church of Detroit Lakes was organized in 1872. Its development is closely associated with the history of the city. The present sanctuary was dedicated in 1893. The Congregational United Church of Christ adheres to the essential truths of the Christian faith while recognizing that religious beliefs are personal and open to change.

Such emphasis on faith development is related to the history of Congregationalism. After seeking to reform the Church of England during the Protestant Reformation, the Congregationalists sought religious freedom by coming to this land in the 1600s.

As a congregation, we strive to honor the faith journey of each individual. We encourage questions and together search for insight. We celebrate our unity in Christ while recognizing our diversity. People of various religious social experiences are welcome in the life of the congregation.

Freedom to worship God and to live according to the dictates of one's conscience is embodied in the life of The Congregational United Church of Christ of Detroit Lakes. The membership represents a variety of religious backgrounds and traditions. We celebrate our diversity as a healthy part of spiritual, emotional and intellectual growth.

Thus, in joining this church, members are not asked to accept a particular creed. Rather, they are invited to affirm together a statement of faith in God.